Helping Your Child Buy a Home: Gifts, Loans, and Other Considerations
With home prices and borrowing costs making it harder for some first-time buyers to get started, financial help from parents can make a real difference. Some parents give money toward a down payment, while others lend funds, co-sign a mortgage, or help purchase the property outright. Each approach c
A Canceled Home Sale Could Be Good News for Buyers
Seeing a home come back on the market after going under contract can make buyers wonder what happened. Did the inspection uncover a problem? Did the appraisal come in low? Did the buyer's financing fall apart? Maybe. A canceled sale doesn't automatically mean there's something wrong with the house.
Will Home Prices Fall If Mortgage Rates Stay High? What Richmond Buyers and Sellers Should Know
"If mortgage rates stay around 6% to 7%, won't home prices eventually come down?" The answer, according to many housing experts, is probably not by much. While higher rates have certainly affected affordability, they haven't caused home prices to fall significantly in most markets. (CBS News) Why Ha
Buying in a New Subdivision? Avoid These Common Mistakes
There’s a lot to love about buying a home in a new subdivision. Brand-new systems, modern floorplans, energy efficiency, community amenities, and the excitement of being the first person to live in a home all make new construction incredibly appealing. And here in the Greater Richmond area, new cons
How a Reverse Mortgage Works — Explained Simply
A reverse mortgage is a type of home loan designed for older homeowners (typically age 62 and up) that lets you convert part of your home’s equity into cash, without having to sell your house or make monthly mortgage payments. Key Features You receive payments instead of making them.With a reverse m
Why 2026 Could Be Your Year to Buy — National Trends with a Richmond Perspective
A recent article, “Why 2026 Might Be Your Year to Buy a New House,” highlights a growing consensus among housing experts: after several years of tight inventory, elevated mortgage rates, and affordability challenges, the real estate market may be entering a more balanced and buyer-friendly phase. Na
Does the “1% Rule” Still Matter When Refinancing?
Mortgage rates have finally started to ease up after peaking above 7% earlier this year. And if experts are right, they may keep drifting down as the Federal Reserve continues cutting benchmark rates. That shift has already sparked a surge in refinancing applications, up 18% from this time last year
Is It Rude to Offer Less Than Asking Price? Let’s Talk About It.
One of the most common questions I get from buyers—especially first-timers—is, “Is it rude to offer less than asking price on a house?” It’s a fair question! Buying a home can feel both emotional and high-stakes, and no one wants to risk offending a seller—or worse—losing out on the sale. But here’s
Understanding Mortgage Fraud — And How to Protect Yourself
Buying or refinancing a home is one of the biggest financial steps most of us ever take. But in the excitement of securing a mortgage, it’s important to know the fine line between honest mistakes and what could be considered mortgage fraud. A recent MSN article breaks down what mortgage fraud is, ho